Messi is 'ungrateful', 'broke' the Golden Ball, fans are 'mad' because of this action of their idol?

Superstar Lionel Messi broke a strict rule of the Ballon d'Or awards ceremony with a beautiful gesture for a promising young player, defying all protocol.

Lionel Messi has cemented his place as a living legend in football history, winning the Ballon d'Or a record eight times - an achievement that is almost impossible to surpass. This dominance is further reinforced by the fact that the second-placed player, Cristiano Ronaldo, has only won the award five times. At 38 years old, despite shining brightly in the MLS, receiving his eighth Ballon d'Or in 2023 is likely to be the final peak of his illustrious career. However, in that memorable moment, Messi left a profound human mark that transcended all the strict rules of a formal ceremony.

The event took place at the Châtelet Theatre in Paris, where the world’s top stars gathered. During a brief intermission, Messi, then a player for Inter Miami, suddenly stood up. This action went against the request to maintain public order. All eyes followed him, curious as to what he was going to do. But Messi’s purpose was not to attract attention, but to show sincere respect to a rising young talent.

The person who caught Messi's eye was Khvicha Kvaratskhelia , a Georgian winger who was impressing for Napoli. Kvaratskhelia, a huge Messi fan, was surprised to see her idol walk straight towards her. "We were sitting at the gala during a short break," Kvaratskhelia later said. "Messi was sitting right next to me. Suddenly he stood up, and I didn't understand what was going on, because we were told to sit still. But he came straight towards me, held out his hand, and I was so confused that I had to stand up and shake it back."

This simple yet meaningful act left a deep impression on Kvaratskhelia. After shaking hands and greeting, Messi returned to his seat, leaving a memorable moment in the young star's mind. "For a player of Messi's caliber to stand up just to greet someone... it's crazy," Kvaratskhelia said emotionally. "He's a great person. I have a lot of respect and appreciation for that act."

This story is not only a personal memory but also shows the extraordinary qualities of Messi, a great player not only because of his talent on the field but also because of his humility and respect for his colleagues. That gesture has proven that, even at the peak of his fame, he is always a simple and sincere person.

Messi’s respect for Kvaratskhelia then became even more significant. After winning the Serie A title with Napoli, Kvaratskhelia moved to PSG in January 2025, a team Messi played for and won two consecutive Ligue 1 titles in 2022 and 2023. However, it was the PSG squad led by coach Luis Enrique, with the addition of Kvaratskhelia, that made history by bringing the club its first Champions League title. Kvaratskhelia’s success at PSG was not only a testament to his talent, but also a testament to Messi’s vision, as he recognized and appreciated a special talent early on. Messi’s gesture at the Ballon d’Or ceremony was not only a nice gesture, but also a prophecy about the future of a new star.

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